WheelsAndAxle Blog
Practical tips, IFTA deadlines, and guides for independent truckers.
11–20 of 21 posts
How to Amend an IFTA Report: Fixing a Quarter You Already Filed
Found a mistake on a quarter you already sent in? Here is what IFTA's rules say about credits, refunds and interest, and what Texas, New York, Illinois, Washington and North Carolina say about amendments.
WheelsAndAxle TeamApril 15, 20268 min readIFTA Rate Changes by Quarter: What Shifts, What Stays, and Why It Matters
Fuel tax rates shift every quarter in some states and stay flat for decades in others. Here is how the IFTA rate matrix works, which states change most often, and what owner-operators need to watch.
WheelsAndAxle TeamMarch 6, 20268 min readCFTP vs. IFTA in California: When to Use a Fuel Trip Permit and When to Get the License
California gives truckers three ways to handle fuel tax: IFTA, CFTP, or the Interstate User license. Here is when each one makes sense — with the real costs and trade-offs.
WheelsAndAxle TeamMarch 3, 20267 min readFuel Receipt Best Practices: What IFTA Auditors Actually Check
Missing a field on your fuel receipt can cost you thousands in an IFTA audit. Here are the 7 things every receipt must have, what happens when records fall short, and how to keep yourself audit-ready.
WheelsAndAxle TeamFebruary 26, 202610 min readWhere to Buy Diesel: How IFTA Tax Rates Shape What You Really Owe
Pump price is not your true cost. Learn how IFTA tax rates, surcharges, and base fuel prices work together — with worked examples on the I-80 and I-95 corridors using verified Q1 2026 rates.
WheelsAndAxle TeamFebruary 22, 202612 min readTax Breaks and Free Help for Owner-Operators: What the Government Actually Offers
Owner-operators can write off per diem meals at 80%, depreciate a truck in Year 1, and get free business mentoring through the SBA. Here is every tax break and government program — sourced from IRS.gov and SBA.gov.
WheelsAndAxle TeamFebruary 22, 202612 min readWeight-Distance Tax States: What Truckers Must Know About Oregon, New York, New Mexico, Kentucky, and Connecticut
Five states charge truckers a per-mile tax based on vehicle weight — on top of IFTA fuel tax. Here is what each state demands, what it costs, and how to stay out of trouble.
WheelsAndAxle TeamFebruary 22, 202616 min readIFTA for New Owner-Operators: How to Get Your First License
New to trucking? Here is everything you need to know about getting your IFTA license — what it is, who needs it, how to apply in California and Texas, what records to keep, and the 7 mistakes rookies make. Every fact sourced from IFTA Inc, CDTFA, and the Texas Comptroller.
WheelsAndAxle TeamFebruary 20, 202611 min readWhat Happens in an IFTA Audit: What They Check, What You Need, and How to Be Ready
Your base state must audit 3% of IFTA accounts each year. Here is what the auditors look for, what records you need, and how to be ready when the letter shows up — sourced straight from IFTA Inc and state DOT pages.
WheelsAndAxle TeamFebruary 19, 202613 min readHow to Prepare Your IFTA Return: A Step-by-Step Guide for Owner-Operators
A plain-English walkthrough of the IFTA quarterly return — from gathering your fuel slips and trip logs to working out what you owe, jurisdiction by jurisdiction. Built for Q1 2026 (due April 30).
WheelsAndAxle TeamFebruary 19, 202612 min read